Prime Minister pledges to create a smokefree generation

We have warmly welcomed a proposal from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to prevent the next generation from ever smoking. 

In his speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Sunak pledged to raise the age of sale of tobacco products by one year every year in England and Wales.

The proposed legislation would mean that those born on or after 1 January 2009 would never be able to legally buy a cigarette or any other kind of tobacco product across England and Wales.

Sunak added that MPs will get a free vote on the proposal in Parliament, which means that MPs can vote according to their own beliefs rather than according to their party’s policy.

We support the measure, which will help the Government achieve its ambition to make England a Smokefree nation by 2030.

Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart, with around 13,000 deaths from heart and circulatory diseases attributable to smoking each year in England and Wales.

'Important initiative'

While smoking rates have been steadily falling since records began, it’s estimated that one in eight adults in England and Wales smoke cigarettes – between 5 and 6 million people.

Among adult smokers, about two-thirds report that they took up smoking before the age of 18 and over 80 per cent before the age of 20, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Plans were also announced to double the funding for local authority Stop Smoking Services from next year. We look forward to seeing the detail of that measure.

Additionally, Sunak announced an intention to consult on plans to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children.

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, our Medical Director, said: “Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes, needlessly taking many lives prematurely. 

“We welcome this important initiative from the Prime Minister to limit its damage to the health and wellbeing of our nation.”

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